March 20 gathering

We discussed a number of topics this afternoon:

• boot camp (Evelyn will be conducting this; contact her for details)
• we decided to do a Block of the Month (BOM) quilt; as we have quilters at a variety of different levels, it is perhaps wisest to do a different block every month to demonstrate the skills/techniques needed for constructing various types of blocks
• we showed quilts! (see flickr)
• birthdays (Cindy 1/17, Lana 4/8, Joyce 4/25, Vivian 5/18, Sydney 5/30, Adrian 7/27, Cherry 9/8, Gloria 9/29, Laurel 11/3, Joann 11/6, Alora 11/14, Evelyn all of December); we will need to get the other birthdays
• Piecemakers (Middletown quilters) will be hosting an interesting speaker next Wednesday 3/24
• food next month (Carol--chicken, Vernie--calico beans and greek pasta salad, Laurel--green salad, Lana/Sydney--dessert, Alora-dessert and drinks)

February 27 gathering

Agenda:

·         Review of last month’s decisions

·         Treasurer’s report

·         Hospitality planning

·         Educational session

o   Preparing fabric

o   Quarter inch seams

o   Quilting terms

o   Setting the educational agenda

§  Block of the month

§ 

·         Show and tell: current projects

Attendance: Alora, Joyce, Laurel, Evelyn, Narda, Adrienne, Carol, Cherry.

·        The meeting was called to order at 1:30

·        Evelyn shared information on quilt shops in the area with good information on quality, volume, cost and facilities

·        There was a general discussion of essential tools which included: rotary cutter, self healing mat, 12’’ and 5” squares,  6” by 24” ruler, seam ripper, good quality thread (including Sulky, Gutterman, Connecting Threads), steam iron, fine straight pins, tailor chalk or pencil, quilting needles for the machine with sharp point and a good guide book.

·        We conducted show and tell of antique quilts as well as contemporary quilts.

·        The presentation on layering back, batting and top was deferred

·        Organizational discussion

o   Agreement that the primary purpose of the group was to teach and learn quilting techniques and to fellowship among interesting group of women. Among the things suggested were learning the basics, terminology and exchange of information about show and other related activities

o   There was agreement that we needed to have officers but that we wanted the group to be informal without a lot of rules and by laws

o   The group wanted to meet in community spaces rather than homes and agreed to try to make the Kline Village Library the primary site for our meetings.

o   Dues were established at $24 per year for adults and $12 per year for person under the age of 18.  Year 2010 dues will be due April 1^st.

o   The following officers volunteered to serve two year terms:

§  Convener: Carol

§  Co-convener: Evelyn

§  Treasure: Joyce (Note: $ 25 was handed over to Joyce from the money collected at the November meeting and Joyce was authorized to open an account.)

§  Secretary/ Historian: Laurel

§  Hospitality: Alora

o   There was agreement that our activities should evolve but some of the ideas discussed were: shop hops, guest speakers, trunk shows, making quilt to raffle for charity, and making a quilt for the library.

o   The group discussed the name and decided to change the name to:  African American Quilters Gathering.

·        Announcements

o   The next meeting will be March 20^th at the Kline Village Library from 1-4 PM.

The meeting was moved from the 27 th accommodate members who will be attending a quilt retreat that weekend

o   Note of appreciation:  Bobbie, Adrienne, Gloria, Evelyn and Narda provided great refreshments. Thanks so much!

January 30 gathering

At our meeting today, Evelyn talked about some of the basics of quilting:

• rotary cutters
• cutting mats
• rulers
• the correct height for cutting tables
• using Joann coupons at Hancock
• Connecting Threads